Washington @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2010 ) Washington 7, Cincinnati 8
The Washington Nationals nearly found a way to end their losing streak on Tuesday. They're hoping they have the right solution this time.
The Nationals hope to halt their skid tonight when they send rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg to the mound against the Cincinnati Reds in the third game of their four-game series.
Entering Tuesday's contest on a three-game slide, Washington fell into a 3-0 hole before starter Luis Atilano even recorded an out and trailed 5-1 before rain delayed the game for over 2 1/2 hours. When play resumed, Cincinnati scored three more times to make it a seven-run advantage.
But the Nationals refused to lay down, rallying for six runs in the sixth inning to pull within 8-7. Ryan Zimmerman belted a two-run homer and pinch-hitter Michael Morse ripped a three-run triple before scoring on a double by Ian Desmond.
Washington even had the tying run at third base, but former Cincinnati slugger Adam Dunn flied out to end the frame.
The Reds held on for their fourth win in nine games, with 22-year-old Mike Leake improving to 4-1 at home. Leake became the club's first rookie to start with a 7-1 record since Wayne Simpson in 1970.
Cincinnati is now 3-1 without All-Star Scott Rolen, who is sidelined with a right hamstring injury.
Despite the valiant comeback effort, the Nationals dropped to 1-4 on their 10-game road trip. Washington, which has lost six of its last seven overall, has won just six of its last 32 games away from home.
The Nationals hope to notch a rare road victory behind Strasburg, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Tuesday. The right-hander certainly has lived up to the hype surrounding him, going 4-2 with a 2.03 ERA and allowing more than two runs only once in his first eight major league starts.
Strasburg has struck out 68 batters while walking just 14 in 48 2/3 innings. He has won each of his last two starts, yielding just one run and striking out 15 over a total of 12 frames.
In three road outings, Strasburg is 2-1 with a 2.04 ERA.
Opposing the phenom will be Bronson Arroyo, who also has been impressive of late.
Arroyo has won three consecutive games and five of his last six, allowing two runs or less in each of the five victories. On Friday, the right-hander gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings of a 3-2 triumph over Colorado.
The 33-year-old Arroyo has enjoyed success against Washington, going 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA in seven career starts. He pitched well vs. the Nationals on June 6, surrendering just two runs and six hits in eight innings, but did not figure in the decision of a 5-4 Cincinnati win.
Arroyo has posted a 4-2 record and 4.01 ERA in nine home starts this season.